Were at Arm's Length?

Definition of keep (someone or something) at arm's length
: to avoid being very close to or friendly with someone or something Since going to college, he has kept his old friends at arm's length. They no longer trust her and are keeping her at arm's length.

What is at arm's length means?

1 : a distance discouraging personal contact or familiarity kept former friends at arm's length now. 2 : the condition or fact that the parties to a transaction are independent and on an equal footing. Other Words from arm's length More Example Sentences Learn More About arm's length.

What does at arm's length mean in legal terms?

"Arm's length ... a relationship between two parties who are unrelated or strangers; thus each owes no special obligation to the other party. The term is commonly applied in areas of taxation, corporate law and contracts, describing parties who carry out a particular transaction, each acting in self-interest....

Sarah Jenkins

Sarah Jenkins

Senior Technology Editor & AI Specialist

Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.